Handle construction



July 21, 1942.

J. B. KIRBY HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Fil'ed May 3, 1940 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 21, 1942 U N TE STAT E 3 4 Claims.

This invention relates te handle constructions, and more particularly toa new and improved handle for electrically operated floor devices suchas suction cleaners and the like.

The construction of operating handles heretofore used with electricalfloor appliances, particularly suction cleaners, embodied manyundesirable features from a user standpoint. For example, the handleswere usually made of many separable parts which, when assembled,presented somewhat of an undesirable appearing disintegrated structure.Such handles were con structed with bracket stampings, riveted orotherwise secured to the intermediate portion of the handle whichlimited the distance between the cord brackets. "In use, the bracketshad a tendency to become loosened and separated from the handle, therebyinconveniencing the operator of the device to which the handle wasattached. Furthermore, the disintegrated constructions were not able towithstand the severe punishment such devices are occasionally subjectedto in service.

By the present invention, there is provided a new and improved handleconstruction for use with suction cleaners and similar appliances whichavoids the aforementioned undesirable features of present types ofhandles. The handle is economical to manufacture and sturdy ofconstruction and relatively light in weight as compared with priorhandles. The elimination of many of the parts without sacrificing any ofthe advantages of such parts tends toward unity of construction andgreatly enhanced appearance.

Various objects of the invention, not at this time particularlyenumerated, will become more apparent as the nature of the invention isbetter understood from the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the new andimproved handle construction operatively connected to a suction cleanerillustrated in phantom,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the handle,

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary rear exploded view, partly insection of said embodiment,

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section, of theupper portion of the handle construction,

Figure 5 is a still further enlarged, fragmentary view, partly insection, of a portion of the construction shown in Figure Land,

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line66 of Figure 5.

With reference to Figure 1 of the drawing, the numeral lfl designatesthe new and improved handle construction of the present invention,operatively connected to the suction cleaner H which includes the filterbag l2 and electric conductor cord !3. The handle construction generallycomprises end sections 14 and I5 and an intermediate tubular member 16.The lower handle section I4 is .of generally hollow tubularconstruction, terminating in any suitable means, for pivotally attachingthe handle to a floor operated device, which means in the illustratedembodiment takes the form of an integralyoke or bail IT. The tubular endof the handle section l4 telescopically receives one end of the tubularmember I6 and the twoparts are secured together by any suitable means.As shown, the tubular end of the handle section Hi is provided with alongitudinally extending slot 18 so that it may be compressed or clampedabout the end of the section It :by means of a screw l9 extendingthrough ears 2i! formed on each side of the open end of the slot I3.Integrally formed with and extending parallel to the tubular portion ofthe handle section M is a bracket member 2| of hook-like configuration,with the open end thereof facing the yoke end of handle section M.

The handle section I5 is of generally hollow tubular construction andtelescopically receives the other end of intermediate member it which issecured therein by any suitable means. As illustrated, the tubular endof the handle section [5 is slotted as at 22 so that the end may becompressed and clamped about the end of the member It :by means of ascrew 24 extending through the apertured lugs 26 formed on each side ofthe open end of the slot.

Integrally formed with the handle section I5 is a bracket member 21similar to bracket member 2|. The member 21 is aligned with and extendsin an opposite direction to the bracket member 2| to form therewith areel for retaining Ellie leblectric conductor cord l3 upon the han- Onthe free end of the handle section I5 is formed the hand-grip 28 whichcomprises an angulated extension 29 cast integrally with the handlesection l5 and so formed as to constitute a part of the hand-grip, Aseparable member 33 complementary to the extension 29 forms therewiththe shell of the hand grip. A rib 3| and a socket 33 on the extension 29cooperating respectively with the slot 32 and pin 34 formed on theseparable member 30 serve to maintain the complementary parts in properregistry during the assembly of the hand-grip. A flexible member isemployed to encase the members 29 and 30 to complete the hand gripportion of the handle and hold the the parts thereof together.

In the present embodiment, the handle section l retains a switch member31. That portion of the conductor cord extending from the switch to theource of current supply mounted on the handle by means of brackets 2|and 21 when not in use. The other end of the cord l3 extending from theswitch to the motor passes through the center of the handle andoutwardly therefrom through a bushing 38 in the handle section I4 andthence to the motor of the suction cleaner.

As heretofore pointed out, the end handle sections [4 and I5 aresupported relative to each other by the intermediate tubular member I6and the bracket members 2| and 21 being formed integrally with thesections I4 and I5 are disposed apart a greater distance than heretoforewherein the brackets have been universally mounted on the intermediatesection. The present invention enables the user to perform the loopingoperations with the conductor cord with less turns so that the bulk issubstantially reduced and facilitating the use of relatively smallerbracket members holding th cord more closely to the handle, tendingtowards a neater and more presentable appearing construction.

invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specificallydescribed; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosedembodiment is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limitedexcept by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A handle construction for an on-the-floor appliance comprising apivotal section, a hand grip section and an intermediate tubular member,said hand grip section having a substantially hollow grip portion madeof complementary members one of which is formed integrally therewith andan elastic sheath adapted to encase the said complementary members tosecure them together and complete the hand grip section.

2. In an appliance handle, a handle section comprising a tubular portionand a hand-grip portion, said hand-grip portion being formed ofcomplemental section one of which is formed integrally with said tubularportion, and an lastic sheath adapted to encase the said complementalsections for securing them together and completing said hand gripportion.

3. In an appliance handle, a handle section comprising a tubular portionand a hand-grip portion, said hand-grip portion being formed ofcomplemental sections one of which is formed integrally with saidtubular portion, inter-engaging members formed on said complementalsections for relatively positioning the sections, and an elastic sheathadapted to encase th said complemental sections for securing themtogether and completing said hand-grip portion.

4. In an appliance handle, a handle section comprising a tubular portionand a hand-grip portion, an electric switch mounted in said tubularportion, said hand-grip portion being formed of complemental sectionsone Of which is formed integrally with said tubular portion,interengaging members on said complemental sections for relativelypositioning the sections, and an elastic sheath adapted to'encase thesaid complemental sections for securing them together and completingsaid hand-grip portion.

JAMES B. KIRBY.

